Singapore to Bali with Azamara Cruises

The small, intimate ship was Shelby Feemster’s favorite element from her Azamara Temples, Dragons and Beaches cruise from Singapore to Bali.

“The captain and crew were very involved,” she said. She especially enjoyed the “favorites” luncheon, where staff picked and served their favorite dishes. During a skit celebrating the ship crossing the equator, the captain jumped in full uniform — “stripes and all!” — into the pool at the finale.

Another highlight was getting to visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the port of Semarang, their tour took a motor coach to Prambanan, a collection of massive Hindu temples. Getting there was an adventure in itself.

“It was certainly a sensory overload,” she said. “Scooters going every which way and lots of sirens.”

The other site was Komodo Island, home to the largest lizard in the world.

“It was cool to see the Komodo dragons and how well they move considering their size,” she said. “They are massive!”

While amenities on board an Azamara cruise include select standard spirits, international beers and wines (in addition to bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas), Shelby recommends upgrading to the premium drink package.

Other tips she had were to consider extending the trip in Singapore and Bali to make the most of the area and having an open mind when traveling to a different culture with multiple faiths.